Which of the following are similar to the ways you've served Christ in your family? [check all that apply]
• Taught your kids to see God's glory in nature
• Washed the dishes without being asked
• Played a board game with your kids
• Encouraged your wife to finish her master's degree
• Attended a child's open house at school
• Worked fewer hours to be with your family
• Set an example of a godly prayer life for your children
• Held a crying child
• Swung on the tire swing with your daughter
• Told your wife why you're still in love with her
• Told your son he's got what it takes
• Coached soccer
• Let you child correct you now and then
• Fixed the vacuum cleaner
• Taught your sons to ride a bike
• Listened patiently to a complaint of your wife
• Taped your child's artwork to your office wall
• Admitted to your kids that you were wrong
• Told your children how Christ entered your life
• Cleaned up vomit
• Taught your children to love books
• Been romantic without expecting sex
• Told your daughter she's smart/beautiful
• Set standards for your kids and stuck to them
• Dealt graciously with a busybody neighbor
• Peeled carrots
• Watched movies together
God's in the Gallery Theme of the Week: Shun Those Shortcuts Thursday, May 23, 2002
1 of 1
May/June 200253God's in the GalleryTheme of the Week: Shun Those Shortcuts God's in the Gallery Theme of the Week: Shun Those Shortcuts Thursday, May 23
Key Bible Verse: He sees everything I do and every step I take (Job 31:4). Bonus Reading:Psalm 139:1–12
Our integrity is tested by what we do when nobody's looking. If we resist stealing, for example, when no one would find out, we're honest.
Golfer Raymond Floyd was getting ready to tap in a routine 9-inch putt for par when he accidentally touched the ball with his putter. According to the rules, if the ball moves, the golfer must take a penalty stroke. Yet Floyd was among the leaders in a tournament with a top prize far exceeding $100,000. If he 'fessed up, the penalty stroke could cost him a lot of money.
Writer David Holohan describes what he could do: "The athlete ducks his head and flails wildly with his hands, as being attacked by a killer bee . …all the while [looking for] any sign that the ball's movement has been detected by others. If the coast is clear, he taps the ball in."
Ray Floyd didn't do that. He assessed himself a penalty stroke and wound up with a bogey.
Job knew how useless it was to try to hide things from God. Pleasing God was really what mattered most to him. Are we as intent on being true to God, even when others aren't looking? Whatever we do, God's in the audience! Pleasing Him is what really matters.
—Mart De Haan in Power Up!
My Response: What audience am I playing to?
Thought to Apply: Character is what you are in the dark. —D. L. Moody (evangelist, 19th century)
If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless.
1 of 1
